Credit: Google Images
En route to the delayed train home from Kings Cross St. Pancras after a working/networking day I walked head-on into a sight which sent my happy hormones plummeting into panic mode.
Immediately I left work, hurrying back to Angel to begin my commute, I saw the sight no Londoner wants to see. Police tape everywhere, a plethora of emergency service vehicles, flashing lights and downcast faces on every corner with a sombre hush punctuating the air.
Someone, a temporarily nameless male figure, had collapsed and passed away, on their merry way around the market, gathering sweet treats to take home to delight the family. Belongings strewn on the pavement, destined for a soulless plastic bag of personal effects, his hard earned currency now worthless and no further need for his comfortable shoes and light autumnal overcoat. After the initial shock of witnessing this, it seems poignant to re-evaluate the worth of how I spend my precious time on this planet. Not more than 100 feet away from where we had been chatting, learning, schmoozing and engaging, a life had been snuffed out.
Of course we must adhere to the demands of running a family, paying for a home, holding down a job, or the upkeep of whichever walk of life we choose to take. Daily we grind, we stress, we fuss, we fight, all to reach whatever goal we strive to achieve. But do we forget, in our hurry, to relish in the things fundamental to us, the elements we take for granted every day and instead, give prominence to the paycheck?
When was the last time you stopped the household chores for ten minutes en route to wine o’clock and read your toddler that bedtime story upon request? Did you switch off your phone as soon as your older child walked through the door and really listened when they told you about their school day? On the commute last week, did you attend to emails all the way home and walk through the door moaning about work? Have you called your parents/siblings/loved ones recently or has time ‘just flown by’? Have you interacted more on Instagram this month with your followers than you have with your friends? If you haven’t dealt positively with one or more of these, it’s time for a re-group!
We are all incredibly guilty of allowing the demands of our modern, action-packed lives it’s easy to lose grounding and let the fundamentals slip. It’s time to go retro and sweat the small stuff again.
1. Send that ‘just because’ card by snail mail to your friend having a hard time and lift their spirits, an uplifting bombshell among the bills will make their day.
2. If budget allows, arrange to have flowers delivered to your mum/sister/lover out of the blue, randomly remind them how fab they are.
3. When someone is struggling to get through the barrier with their train ticket in rush hour, instead of sighing audibly, smile and throw them a sympathetic glance. It will pay dividends!
4. Pick your toddler up from pre-school and take them blackberry/leaf/acorn picking! Stamp in muddy puddles, look for ‘precious’ fossils! The pure joy on their innocent faces will warm your cockles and bring you back to basics with a bump.
5. After a busy day at work, don’t switch the tv on to keep the kids occupied while you make dinner. Get them to come and help you, make D-I-Y pizzas or open sandwiches. We are all entitled to a night off, with a quick-fix – that’s why God invented Pinterest, right?
6. Remember that happy mum (or dad) = happy kids so give yourself a mini-boost every time you can, you deserve it! Stop the chores early, paint your nails, pick up a book, read a magazine or watch your guilty pleasure on TV.
7. Stick on the home movie DVD and reminisce just how little the children used to be. Delight in the fact that one raspberry or cute face from your baby could send you into fits of giggles for hours on end! Then take an extra moment to watch them sleep, its a no-brainer
8. Make time and organise a girls night out, the ultimate feel-good. Also create a whatsapp group message with your friends after the messy night out. You will be amazed at how ridiculous you all were and it will give you a giggle on the daily grind.
9. Date night. You talk about it but how often do you actually make it happen? Budget night in or swanky night out, it all counts. Bring back the magic!
10. Over breakfast, put some i-tunes on and do silly dances to the top downloads with the kids. We all need to laugh, never forget that it extends your life expectancy…
In essence, whatever your challenges, worries and stresses in life, please take a moment to evaluate what you are neglecting and fix it fast, because one day, one thing is guaranteed – that chance will be gone.
Pic credit: Di Santos
What changes can you make to get your ducks back in a row? I’d love to hear your inspirations!
http://www.acornishmum.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Pick-and-Mix-Fridays1.png
18 Comments
Karen Bayliss
This really hit home and I couldn’t agree more. Decided to call my Dad before he calls me, arranged to walk the dog with my mum on Saturday and take her shopping for her birthday as time spent with me, she says, is more valuable than any present. Thanks for the prompt – always too busy? Not that much.
Ginger Mum
Amazing response, thank you. Yes, and the thing is, by being there again for others, we end up reaping the benefits tenfold ourselves!
mothers day care
I blog quite often and I really appreciate your
information. This great article has truly peaked my interest.
I am going to book mark your site and keep checking for new information about once a week.
I opted in for your Feed too.
Chloe
Oh my gosh this is both a sad and amazing post. I’m so sorry to that person and their family for their loss. I’m glad you’ve written this post to remind us all that we really do need to make the most of moments and live more in the present. Reading this has really hit home to me that I don’t spend enough time doing any of the above. Thank you for sharing this. I think I really needed to read this tonight. xx #picknmix
Ginger Mum
Thank you for reading it, I really needed to write it. I’m so guilty of all this and more and now check myself regularly so I don’t fall into old ways!
Sarah HP
Well isn’t this just the most lovely article! I’m as guilty as anyone of being constantly busy (with three kids the amount of stuff that needs doing is endless) and maybe a bit too distracted from the people who really matter. Maybe I just need to accept that your to do list will never get finished and the fun stuff is more important anyway.
Ginger Mum
Absolutely Sara, I often think I don’t have the time but taking time to make time ends up benefitting me so much more than just ticking the daily grind boxes.
Beky
I so needed to read this post! I’m often getting told off by my boyfriend for taking too much on and doing too much – definitely just need to relax a bit more . Number 8 on your list is something I definitely need to do too! xx
Ginger Mum
It’s all so obvious but we definitely need to remind ourselves from time to time x
Jess
I’ve been in a situation similar to this before Amanda, I won’t go into details but I definitely know what you would have felt in that moment. It’s heartwarming to know that you felt so deeply for another human’s life, a human that you didn’t know, but that’s exactly the same as me and I find it comforting that I’m not the only one to feel that way. It really can put your entire life into perspective and it’s horrible to think of all the inane things that we allow to change our day or mood. So many people miss out on life because they are worrying about the things they can’t control rather than enjoying the little things that are important. Although, we are all guilty of this from time to time!
I love your list of ideas on how to get the most out of your day and your life and though I don’t have children I definitely understand the sentiment. Sometimes I just take the time to look at my boyfriend and think of all the reasons I love him and to smile even when I might be feeling down. I actually watched a film today called ‘About Time’ which actually promotes this sort of message about the time we have in our lives (with a little bit of time travelling too!). You should watch it, I think you might enjoy it 🙂
Jess x
http://www.diaryofabritgirl.co.uk
Ginger Mum
I will def check it out Jess, thank you. I’m glad the post touched a nerve with you so much x
Lola
I need to do more of this! I’m always too busy rushing around doing something and never take that little bit of me time thats need.
x
Ginger Mum
I think we all do to an extent. we just need a little nudge back to reality sometimes x
A Cornish Mum
It really does hit home how fragile life is when stuff like this happens. Ever since my eldest almost died at age 5 I don’t take anything for granted at all. Time is definitely precious.
Thanks for linking up to #Picknmix
Stevie x
Ginger Mum
Gosh you had a harsh reality check, thank goodness it all worked out well. Cherish every moment!
Louise (Little Hearts, Big Love)
How awful for the family of that poor man. Seeing something like this happen really does make you realise that life is short and we never know what is around the corner. Always good to take a step back at times and enjoy the moment, thank you for sharing such wonderful ways of making sure we take time to appreciate the things that are really important. I’ve been taking a step back this morning and really focusing on having a tea party with my youngest while my eldest is in preschool and it was lovely to slow down for a bit.
Ginger Mum
So glad it has made an impact. Great start to your day, it really does make a difference. Love a morning tea party!
This Site
I simply want to mention I am just very new to blogging and actually liked you’re blog site. Probably I’m want to bookmark your blog . You definitely come with superb writings. Thanks a bunch for sharing with us your website.